MX2014001002A

MX2014001002A - Folding panel needle guard.

Info

Publication number: MX2014001002A
Application number: MX2014001002A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Mark Christopher Doyle; Philip E Dowds; James M Verespej; Frederic P Field
Original assignee: Safety Syringes Inc
Priority date: 2011-07-25
Filing date: 2012-07-24
Publication date: 2014-10-24
Also published as: CA2842799A1; CN103945883B; EP2736567A4; CN103945883A; JP2014522707A; AU2012287007A1; US9925341B2; CA2842799C; WO2013016365A2; MX338562B; EP2736567A2; US20130030376A1; US20150359974A1; BR112014002009B1; CN106913940B; EP2736567B1; WO2013016365A3; US8821453B2; CN106913940A; ES2672478T3

Abstract

A folding panel needle guard comprises front and rear panels coupled together at hinges, a collar attached to the front panels at hinges, a guard base element coupled to the rear panels at hinges, a hub and a spring to unfold and lock the front and rear panels in a co-linear needle shielded configuration. The folding panel needle guard is mountable to a needle or syringe assembly.

Description

PANEL NEEDLE PROTECTION DEVICE FOLDING FIELD OF THE INVENTION The embodiments that are provided herein are generally related to safety systems for syringes, and more particularly with a needle protection device for a syringe that includes a protector activated automatically to cover a needle of the syringe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The medicament is often supplied using a medicine cartridge, such as a glass syringe, which has a cylinder with a needle at one end and a plunger slidably inserted at the other end and coupled to a stopper and a plunger slidably inserted in it. the other end and coupled to a rubber stopper. It often refers to such cartridges as "pre-filled syringes" because they can contain a specific dose or volume of medication when these are initially provided, as compared to conventional syringes that are supplied empty and filled by the user before making a syringe. injection.

The glass syringe and the rubber stopper, for years, have provided an ideal drug storage housing that has properties unique oxygen impermeability, low extraction capacity, biocompatibility, durability, etc. However, both are formed by processes that do not give these same strict geometric tolerances. Strict tolerances were not originally necessary for these devices because they are not used mechanically with other devices.

Due to the risk of communicable diseases, several syringes and adapters have been developed that are intended to prevent accidental needle punctures and / or inadvertent reuse of a syringe. Conventional passive needle puncture safety devices for previously filled syringes must mount the syringe but not excessively interfere with the force required to move the plunger rod during injection or prevent the complete travel of the plunger rod. The safety mechanism must necessarily be activated towards the drug delivery end (near the end of the travel of the plunger rod). However, since virtually all safety devices locate the syringe against the safety device at a point under the ridge of the finger, the operability of the safety device tends to be dependent on the tolerances of the syringe and plug.

In addition, because conventional passive needle puncture safety devices for pre-filled syringes tend to be mounted towards or in the barrel of the syringe, the Safety tends to darken the contents of the syringe and should be applied after filling the syringe.

Previously filled syringes tend to be sent to pharmaceutical company customers as syringes ready to fill, which are those that have been completely cleaned inside and outside after the processes of forming and fixing a needle and then placed in sealed buckets that then They are sterilized and sent to pharmaceutical company customers ready to fill with a medicine. The syringe barrels can contain 100 to 160 syringes each with a geometric spacing and access that is consistent with the established syringe handling equipment. A safety device applied to the syringe should not obscure the inspection systems that are in place to check the syringes before filling them with medication.

Accordingly, it should be desirable to have a needle protection device for a syringe having the safety device drive mechanism independent of the geometry of the syringe and assembled towards the syringe without adversely affecting the position of the syringe relative to the syringe. syringe handling tube or the manner in which the handling equipment transports the syringes during filling and packaging or impedes the inspection processes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The systems and methods described herein are directed to a needle protection device for a syringe having the drive mechanism of the safety device independent of the geometry of the syringe. In one embodiment, a folding panel needle protection device comprises the front and rear panels coupled together in hinges, a collar fixed to the front panels in hinges, a base element of the protection device coupled to the back panels in hinges, a female connector and a spring for deploying and securing the front and rear panels in a co-linear needle protection configuration. The folding panel needle safety device is mountable to a syringe or needle assembly.

In another embodiment, the folding panel needle device includes a control ring operatively coupled to the spring and mountable over the hinges between the front and rear panels to secure the front and rear panels in a co-linear needle protection configuration.

In operation, the needle is inserted into a patient to complete the injection by collapsing the folding panel needle protection device and causing the release of the spring. Upon removal of the patient's needle, the spring biases the rear and front panels to unfold and then secure the front and rear panels in a protected co-linear needle configuration.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to a person skilled in the art under analysis of the following figures and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The details of the invention, including the manufacture, structure and operation, may be obtained in part by studying the accompanying figures, in which similar similar reference numbers refer to like parts. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, but the illustration of the principles of the invention is emphasized. In addition, all illustrations are intended to convey concepts, where relative sizes, shapes and other detailed attributes can be illustrated schematically rather than literally or precisely.

FIGURE 1 illustrates a perspective view of a syringe assembly comprising a syringe, protective cap, and one embodiment of a folding panel water protection device coupled to the syringe.

FIGURE 2 illustrates a cross-sectional perspective view of the syringe assembly taken along line A-A in Figure 1.

FIGURE 3 illustrates a partially exploded perspective view of the syringe assembly in Figure 1; FIGURE 4 illustrates a side view of the syringe assembly in contact with a patient prior to injection.

FIGURE 5A illustrates a side view of the syringe assembly with the needle partially inserted in the patient and the partially folded folding panel needle protection device.

FIGURE 5B illustrates a perspective view of the syringe assembly with the folded panel needle protection device partially folded as shown in Figure 5A.

FIGURE 6A illustrates a side view of the syringe assembly with the needle fully inserted into the patient, the fully folded folding panel needle protection device and the released spring.

FIGURE 6B illustrates a perspective view of the syringe assembly with the folded panel needle protection device fully folded and the spring released as shown in Figure 6A.

FIGURE 6C illustrates a partial reverse perspective view of the syringe assembly with the folded panel needle protection device fully folded and the spring released as shown in Figure 6B.

FIGURE 7 illustrates a side view of the syringe assembly with the needle partially withdrawn from the patient, the partially deployed folding panel needle protection device and the partially extended spring.

FIGURE 8A illustrates a side view of the syringe assembly with the fully deployed folding panel needle protection device and the fully extended spring.

FIGURE 8B illustrates a partial perspective view of the syringe assembly with the fully deployed folding panel needle protection device and the fully extended spring as shown in Figure 8A.

FIGURE 9A illustrates a perspective view of a syringe assembly comprising a syringe, protective cap, and another embodiment of a folding panel water protection device coupled to the syringe.

FIGURE 9B illustrates a cross-sectional perspective view of the syringe assembly taken along line B-B in Figure 9A.

FIGURE 9C illustrates a partially exploded perspective view of the syringe assembly in Figure 9A; FIGURE 9D illustrates a partially exploded perspective view of the syringe assembly in Figure 9A; FIGURE 10 illustrates a side view of the syringe assembly in contact with a patient prior to injection.

FIGURE 11A illustrates a partial side view of the syringe assembly with the needle partially inserted in the patient and the partially folded folding panel needle protection device.

FIGURE 11 B illustrates a detailed view of Figure 11A shown partially from below showing the relative positions of the control ring and locking arm and the interference therebetween.

FIGURE 12A illustrates a partial side view of the syringe assembly with the needle partially inserted further into the patient and the folding panel needle protection device partially folded further.

FIGURE 12B illustrates a detailed view of Figure 12A shown partially from below showing the relative positions of the control ring and the locking arm when the interference is eliminated.

FIGURE 13A illustrates a partial side view of the syringe assembly with the needle partially inserted further into the patient and the folding panel needle protection device partially folded further when the locking arm retracts along the path of the patient. release.

FIGURE 13B illustrates a detailed view of Figure 13A shown partially from below showing the relative positions of the Control ring and locking arm when the interference arm retracts along the release path and releases the spring.

FIGURE 14A illustrates a partial side view of the syringe assembly as shown in Figure 13A when the spring retracts along the spring extension patent to contact the control ring.

FIGURE 14B illustrates a detailed view of Figure 14A shown partially from below showing the relative positions of the control ring and the locking arm when springing along the spring extension path.

FIGURE 15 illustrates a side view of the syringe assembly with the needle advanced further into the patient to complete the injection with the panels folded further along the panel folding path.

FIGURE 16 illustrates a side view of the syringe assembly with the needle partially removed from the patient, the partially deployed folding panel needle protection device and the partially extended spring.

FIGURE 17 illustrates a side view of the syringe assembly with the fully deployed folding panel needle protection device and the fully extended spring.

FIGURE 18 illustrates a side view of the syringe assembly with the fully deployed folding panel needle protection device and the fully extended spring.

FIGURE 19 illustrates a partial perspective view of the syringe assembly as shown in Figure 18; FIGURE 20A illustrates a perspective view of a needle assembly comprising a Luer connector, protective cap, and another embodiment of a folding panel water protection device coupled to the Luer connector.

FIGURE 20B illustrates a cross-sectional perspective view of the needle assembly taken along line C-C in Figure 20A.

FIGURE 21 illustrates a partially exploded perspective view showing an external syringe with an external Luer connector adapted to connect to the Luer connector of the needle assembly.

FIGURE 22 illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view showing the external syringe with the external Luer connector connected to the Luer connector of the needle assembly.

FIGURE 23 illustrates a partially exploded perspective view showing the external syringe with the external Luer connector connected to the Luer connector of the needle assembly with the protective cap removed.

FIGURE 24A illustrates a partial side view of the external syringe with the external Luer connector connected to the Luer connector of the assembly needle with the needle partially embedded in the patient and the needle protection device folding panel completely collapsed.

FIGURE 24B illustrates a partial perspective view of the external syringe with the external Luer connector connected to the Luer connector of the needle assembly with the folding panel needle protection device completely collapsed as shown in Figure 24A.

FIGURE 25A illustrates a partial side view of the external syringe with the external Luer connector connected to the Luer connector of the needle assembly with the folding panel needle protection device fully deployed and locked with the spring fully extended.

FIGURE 25B illustrates a partial perspective view of the external syringe with the external Luer connector connected to the Luer connector of the needle assembly with the folding panel needle protection device fully deployed and locked with the spring fully extended.

FIGURE 26A illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view of an alternative protective cap structure coupled to the syringe assembly shown in Figure 9A.

FIGURE 26B illustrates a partial perspective view in detailed cross-section of the alternative protective cap structure shown in Figure 26A.

FIGURE 26C illustrates a partial exploded cross-sectional perspective view of the alternative protective cap structure coupled to the syringe assembly.

FIGURE 27A illustrates a partial side view of the syringe assembly of Figure 9A with an alternative release mechanism with the folded panel needle protection device partially folded.

FIGURE 27B illustrates a detailed view of Figure 27A shown partially from below showing the relative positions of the control ring and locking arm and the interference therebetween.

FIGURE 27C illustrates a partial side view of the syringe assembly with the folding panel needle protection device partially folded further.

FIGURE 27D illustrates a detailed view of Figure 27C shown partially from below showing the relative positions of the control ring and the locking arm when the interference is eliminated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The systems and methods described herein are directed to a needle protection device for a syringe having the drive mechanism of the safety device independent of the geometry of the syringe. Returning to the figures, Figures 1 to 8B show one embodiment of a folding panel needle protection device. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a syringe assembly 1 comprises a syringe 5, a protective cap 7 positioned on a needle 8, and a needle protection device of the folding panel 15. The syringe 5 includes a plunger 6. with a rubber plug 9 at its distal end slidably received in the syringe 5 from a proximal end. The needle 8, shown as a staked needle, extends from a female needle connector 3 to a distal end of the syringe 5. The folding panel needle protection device 15 is shown attached to the syringe 5 in an annular recess 11 (shown in detail in Figure 6A) formed in the female needle connector 3. As discussed in detail below with respect to Figures 4-8B, the folding panel needle protection device 15 comprises the front and rear panels. rear 18 and 22 coupled together in hinges 21, a collar 24 fixed to the front panels 18 in hinges 20, a base element of the protection device 17 coupled to the rear panels 22 in hinges 23, a female connector 30 and a spring 34 to deploy and lock the front and rear panels 18 and 22 in a substantially co-linear needle protected configuration.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the protective cap 7 is removed from the hinged assembly 1 before injection.

Returning to Figure 4, to perform an injection using the syringe assembly 1, the syringe assembly 1 is advanced along the injection path 40 to make contact with the tissue of a patient 2, placing the collar 24 of the folding panel needle protection device 15 in contact with the patient 2.

As illustrated in Figures 5A and 5B, the folding panel needle protection device 15 collapses toward the base of the needle 8. With reference to Figure 5A, the syringe assembly 1 is advanced further along the the injection path 40, collapsing the folding panel needle protection device 15 against the patient 2. As shown, the collar 24 is in contact with the patient 2. The front panels 8 are fixed to the collar 24 on the hinges 20 and the rear panels 22 on the hinges 21. The rear panels 22 are fixed to the base element of the protection device 17 (see Figure 6A) on the hinges 23. The front panels 18 are folded on the hinges 20 and 21 approximately along a substantially rotational front panel folding path 44. The rear panels 22 fold into the hinges 21 and 23 approximately along a substantially rotatable rear panel folding path. 42. When the folding panel needle protection device 15 collapses against the patient 2, the needle 8 is exposed and enters the patient 2.

As shown in Fig. 5A, the folding panel needle protection device 15 includes a female connector 30 by encasing a spring 34. The female connector 30 includes locking hooks 32 at the end of the locking arms 31 spaced around each other. the circumference of the female connector 30. The spring 34 is maintained in compression by the locking hooks 32. As shown in Figures 5A and 6C, when the rear panels 22 are folded along the rear panel folding path 42, the drive rods 26 on the rear panels 22 contact with the spring 34 at the driving rod contact points 46, and begin to further compress the spring 34.

Returning to Figures 6A, 6B and 6C, the folding panel needle protection device 15 is shown to be further collapsed with the needle 8 fully exposed. With reference to Figure 6A, as illustrated, the syringe assembly 1 is advanced further along the injection path 40, collapsing the folding panel needle protection device 15 against the patient 2. The needle 8 it is further exposed and is deeper in the patient 2. The front panels 18 have been further folded into the hinges 20 and 21, and have rotated even further along the front panel folding path 44. The rear panels 22 have been further folded into the hinges 21 and 23, and have rotated further along the panel folding path rear 42. With reference to Figure 6C, the drive rods 26 have further compressed the spring 34 along the spring compression path 41. The locking hooks 32 are now remote from the spring 34, allowing the locking arms 31 to retract, i.e., move outward toward their natural position along the arm release path of the arm. drive 48, thereby raising the locking hooks 32 out of the path of the spring 34.

As illustrated in Figures 6A and 6C, an annular end plate 35 of the female connector 30 is received in the annular recess 1 1 formed in the female needle connector 3 of the syringe 5. Tabs 16 circumferentially spaced around the plate 35 they extend proximally from the plate 35 and butt the distal end of the barrel of the syringe 5 to secure the plate 35 in the annular recess 11.

Referring now to Figure 7, the syringe assembly 1 is shown being removed from the patient 2 along the retraction path 60. With the collar 24 still in contact with the patient 2, the folding panel protection device 15 begins to return under the spring bias 34 towards its original shape when the syringe assembly 1 is removed from the patient 2 along the retraction path 60. As shown, the front panels 18 deployed along the path of front panel deployment 56 and rear panels 22 are deployed along the rear panel deployment path 54. As illustrated, spring 34 retracts along the extension path of spring 52, pushing on the panels rear 22 at the driving rod contact points 46 against the driving rods 26, and urging the rear panels 22 to deploy, and flatten, along the deployment path. rear panel 54. The front panels 18 (attached to the rear panels 22 on the hinges 21) are deployed and flattened, in response to the movement of the rear panels 22, along the front panel deployment path 56.

Returning to Figures 8A and 8B, the front panels 18 and rear panels 22 are shown to be substantially returned to their original co-linear alignment. With reference to Figure 8A, the syringe assembly 1 is shown after injection and immediately before breaking contact with patient 2 with the front panels 18 and rear panels 22 substantially returned to their original co-linear alignment. The spring 34 has receded further along the spring extension path 52, and is concentric with (and substantially enclosing) the folding panel needle protection device 15. The front panels 18 and the rear panels 22 thus they are substantially blocked by spring 34 in their original co-linear alignment. Optionally, a locking rod 28 can be provided in the front panels 18 to reduce play and provide a spring rod contact point 62.

Returning to Figures 9A to 19, which show another embodiment of a folding panel needle protection device 1. As illustrated in Figures 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D, a syringe assembly 100 comprises a syringe 105. , a protective cap 107 placed on a needle 108, and a folding panel needle protection device 115. The syringe 105 includes a plunger 106 with a rubber plug 9 at its distal end slidably received in the syringe 105 from a proximal end. The needle 108, shown as a staked needle, is extends from a female needle connector 103 at a distal end of syringe 105. The folding panel needle protection device 115 is shown coupled to syringe 105 in an annular recess 1 12 formed in female needle connector 103. As discussed in detail below, the folding panel needle protection device 1 15 comprises the front and rear panels 8 and 122 coupled together in hinges 121, a collar 124 fixed to the front panels 1 18 in hinges 120, an element of base 125 coupled to rear panels 122 on hinges 123, a female connector 130, a control ring 140 and a spring 138 for unfolding and locking the front and rear panels 1 18 and 122 in a substantially co-linear needle protected configuration .

As illustrated in Figure 9D, the protective cap 107 is removed from the syringe assembly 00 prior to injection.

Returning to Figure 10, to perform an injection using the syringe assembly 100, the syringe assembly 100 is advanced along the injection path 160 to make contact with the tissue of a patient 102, by placing the collar 124 of the device of protection of folding panel needle 1 15 in contact with patient 102. The folding panel protection device 115 is shown just prior to the beginning of collapse of the panels with collar 124 in contact with patient 102. The panels fronts 1 18 are connected to the collar 124 on the hinges 120 and the rear panels 122 on the hinge 121. The front panels 118 can be biased relative to a central axis 161 by a panel slant angle front 163. The rear panels 122 are connected to the front panel 118 on the hinges 121 and to the base element 125 on the hinges 123. The rear panels 122 may be biased relative to a central axis 161 by an angle of panel slant rear 165. Slant angles 163 and 165 in the folding panel needle protection device 1 15 may be provided by molding, coining or other modification steps, or by other means. The hinges 120, 121 and 123 may be active hinges, pivot hinges, hooks, joints, or other known hinge elements. The hinges 120, 121 and 123 can be formed in the folding panel needle protection device 1 15 during manufacture (eg, during injection molding), or can be incorporated into the folding panel needle protection device 115 during manufacture (for example by incorporation of another component or material).

As illustrated in Figure 1A, the syringe assembly 100 is further advanced along the injection path 160, with the collar 124 in contact with the patient 102 and the needle protection device of the folding panel 115. collapsing against the patient 102, exposing the needle 108. When the syringe assembly 100 is advanced, the front panels 1 | 18 are folded into the hinges 120 and 121 approximately along a substantially rotational front panel folding path 166. rear panels 122 are folded into hinges 121 and 123 approximately along a path of substantially rotational rear panel folding 164. The needle 108 is exposed and enters the patient 102.

The female connector 130 encases the spring 138. The female connector 130 includes a locking hook 136 at one end of a locking arm 132. The spring 138 is held in compression by the locking hook 136. When the rear panels 122 are folded upwards along the rear panel folding path 164, the rear panels 122 contact the gripping hooks 142 of the control ring 140 at the control ring contact points 168, and start to operate the ring control 140 backwards along the control ring activation path 172. The movement of the control ring 140 along the control ring activation path 172, as will be explained below, will eventually result in the release of the control ring. spring 138.

With reference to Figure 11B, a detailed view of Figure 11A is shown partially from below, of the relative positions of the control ring 140 and the locking arm 32. The rear panels 122 are shown in contact with the ring control 140 at the contact points of control ring 168, and driving control ring 140 backward along a control ring activation path. The spring 138 is constrained by the locking hooks 136 at one end of the locking arms 132. The locking arms 132 are biased to deflect downwards along a lock arm release path 174, but it is prevented from doing so by interference between a locking arm tab 148 and a control ring tab 146.

Figure 12A shows the syringe assembly 100 advanced further along the injection path 160. The needle 108 is further exposed and entering the patient 102. As the needle protection device of the folding panel 15 collapses, the front panels 1 18 have been further folded along the front panel folding path 166, and the rear panels 122 have been further folded along the rear panel folding path 164. The rear panels 122 which are in contact with the control ring 140 at the contact points of the control ring 168, they have driven the control ring 140 backward along the control ring activation path. As shown in Figure 12B, the interference between the locking arm tabs 148 and the control ring tabs 146 are eliminated, and the tabs of the locking arm 149 align with the control ring openings 144.

As shown in Figures 13A and 13B, the locking arms 132 retract, i.e., are released to their natural skew position along the lock arm release path 174, the locking hooks 136 falling out of the spring trajectory 138.

As shown in Figures 14A and 14B, the spring 138, not restricted by the locking hooks 136, retracts along the length of the spring extension path 176 for contacting control ring 140 at control ring pressure points 178.

Returning to Figure 15, the syringe assembly 100 is shown as it advances further along the injection path 160 to complete the injection. As shown, the front panels 1 18 have been further folded along the front panel folding path 166, and the rear panels 122 have been further folded along the rear panel folding path 164.

As shown in Figure 16, the syringe assembly 100 can be removed from the patient 102 along a retraction path 180 after the injection is complete. As the syringe assembly 100 is removed, the front panels 1 18 deployed along the front panel deployment path 184 and the rear panels 122 deploy along the rear panel deployment path 182. The spring 138 backing along the spring extension path 176, pushing on the control ring 140, which in turn pushes on the rear panels 122 at the control ring contact points 168, thereby urging the rear panels 122 to deploy, and flatten, along the rear panel deployment path 182. The front panels 118 (attached to the rear panels 122 on the hinges 121) unfold and begin to flatten, in response to movement of the rear panels 122 , along the deployment path of the front panel 184.

Returning to Figure 17, the syringe assembly 100 is shown removed from the patient 102 along the retraction path 180. When the syringe assembly is removed, the spring 138 continues to retrace along the extension path of the syringe. spring 176, pushing on the control ring 140, which in turn pushes on the rear panels 122 at the control ring contact points 168, urging the rear panels 122 to unfold, and flatten out, along the rear panel deployment path 182. The front panels 118 (attached to the rear panels 122 on the hinges 121) unfold and flatten, in response to movement of the rear panels 122, along the front panel deployment path 184. Both the front panels 118 and the rear panels 122 have returned to their original alignment, essentially co-linear.

As illustrated in Figures 18 and 19, the folding panel needle protection device 15 is completely closed, with the front panels 1 18 and the rear panels 122 essentially co-linear. The spring 138, having continued to back off along the spring extension path 176, has pushed the control ring 140 up against the limit stops 126 on the front panels 18. The control ring 140 provides a circumferential band around the front and rear panels 1 18 and 122, avoiding folding and collapse, which is desirable during injection, to occur after the needle 108 is contaminated.

As an alternative, the front panels 1 18 could include needle exclusion tabs 128 for protecting panel spaces 129 (spaces between panels) of the needle 108, preventing any undesired penetration of the folding panel needle protection device 115 by the needle 108.

Returning now to Figures 20A to 25B, which show another embodiment of a folding panel needle protection device 215. As illustrated in Figures 20A and 20B, a needle assembly 200 comprises a Luer connector 205, a cover protective 207 placed on a needle 208, and a folding panel needle protection device 215. The Luer connector 205 includes an inner surface 206 and an outer surface 204. The needle 208 extends from a distal end of the Luer connector 205. The folding panel needle protection device 215 includes a female connector 230 coupled to the Luer connector 205 in an annular recess 212 formed in the outer surface 204 of the Luer connector 205. As discussed in detail below, the needle protection device of folding panel 215 comprises the front and rear panels 218 and 222 coupled together in hinges 221, a collar 224 fixed to the front panels 218 in hinges 220, an ele base assembly 225 coupled to the rear panels 222 on hinges 223, a female connector 230, a control ring 240 and a spring 238 for unfolding and locking the front and rear panels 218 and 222 in a substantially co-linear needle protected configuration .

Returning to Figure 21, there is shown an external syringe 209 with external Luer connector 210 adapted to be connected to the luer connector 205 of the needle assembly 200. As illustrated in Figure 22, the needle assembly 200 is connected to the external syringe 209. With reference to Figure 23, the needle assembly 200 is shown connected to the external syringe 209 with the protective cap 207 removed prior to injection.

Figures 24A and 24B illustrate the needle assembly coupled to the external syringe and completely collapsed in an injection state. As illustrated in Figure 24A, the needle 208 is embedded in the patient 202. All features and functions of the syringe assembly 100 (described above) are present in the needle assembly 200 (folding panels, control ring, spring , female connector, etc.). The needle assembly, connected to the external syringe 209 functions exactly like the syringe assembly 100, that is, as a folding panel needle protection device 215 collapses, the front panels 218 fold along the folding path of front panel 266, and rear panels 222 are folded along the rear panel folding path 264.

Figures 25A and 25B illustrate the needle assembly 200 in a fully locked state. The folding panel needle protection device 215 is completely closed, with the front panels 218 and the rear panels 222 essentially co-linear. The spring 238, having regressed along an extension path of spring 276, has pushed the control ring 240 up against the limit stops 226 on the front panels. The control ring 240 provides a circumferential band around the front and rear panels 218 and 222, preventing folding and collapse, which is desirable during injection, to occur after the needle 208 is contaminated.

As an alternative, the front panels 218 could include needle exclusion tabs 228 to protect panel spaces 229 (spaces between panels) of the needle 208, preventing any undesired penetration of the folding panel needle protection device 215 by the 208 needle Returning to Figures 26A, 26B and 26C, an alternate protective cap structure is provided. A syringe assembly 300 includes a syringe 305, a plunger 306, a folding panel needle protection device 330, a protective cap 307, a cap sheath 320, and a needle 308. The cap sheath 320 covers a surgical device. Folding panel protection 330 to protect it from damage and premature activation. The protective cap 307 is connected to the cap sheath 320 at an inferred point 360, allowing both the protective cap 307 and the cap sheath 320 to be removed together.

With reference to Figures 27A, 27B, 27C and 27D, an alternate activation mechanism is provided for a folding panel needle protection device. A syringe assembly 400 includes a folding panel needle protection device. As shown in the In the above embodiments, the syringe assembly 400 is advanced along an injection path 460, causing the folding panel needle protection device 415 to collapse, thereby urging the rear panels 422 to rotate approximately along a path 464.

As the rear panels 422 make contact with locking arm bearings 442, the latter raises the locking arms 432 upwards along a path 474. As the locking arms 432 are raised along the path 474 by contact between the rear panels 422 and the lock arm bearings 442, the locking tabs 446 on a control ring 449 clear the locking notches 448, allowing a spring 438 to back off and push the control ring 440 along a path 476. The control ring 440, directed forward by the spring 438, forces the rear panels 442 to collapse, closing the folding panel protection device 415.

In the above specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific illustrative embodiments thereof. However, it will be apparent that various modifications and changes can be made thereto without departing from the broader essence and scope of the invention. For example, the reader understands that the specific arrangement and combination of the actions of the process shown in the flow diagrams of the process described herein is merely illustrative, unless otherwise stated, and the invention can be performed using different actions process or additional, or a different combination or arrangement of the actions of the process. As another example, each characteristic of a modality can be mixed and be coincident with other characteristics shown in other modalities. The features and processes known to those skilled in the art can be similarly incorporated as desired. Additionally and obviously, the features can be incorporated or subtracted as desired. Accordingly, the invention should not be limited, except in the light of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS 1. A needle protection device comprising a plurality of front panels positioned circumferentially about an axis, a plurality of back panels positioned circumferentially about the axis in a first position substantially aligned with the plurality of front panels, wherein the plurality of back panels movably coupled to the plurality of front panels, and a female connector adjacent to the plurality of back panels co-axially with the plurality of front and rear panels and configured to retain a spring in a compressed state, wherein the plurality of front and rear panels is foldable towards a second position, wherein the movement of the plurality of back panels activates the release of the spring, wherein the spring is biased to deploy the plurality of front and back panels and return the plurality of front panels and after the first po sition. 2. The needle protection device according to claim 1, further characterized in that the spring extends over the plurality of back panels and a coupling between the plurality of front and rear panels to secure the front and rear panels in the first position. 3. The needle protection device according to claim 1, further characterized in that the female connector includes a control ring operatively coupled to the spring and mountable on the coupling between the plurality of front and rear panels to lock the front and rear panels in the first position. 4. The needle protection device according to claim 1, further characterized in that the female connector is engageable with one of a syringe with a needle and a needle connector engageable to a syringe. 5. The needle protection device according to claim 4, further characterized in that the water connector is a Luer connector. 6. The needle protection device according to claim 1, further characterized in that the coupling between the plurality of front and rear panels is a hinge. 7. The needle protection device according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises an annular collar flexibly coupled to the plurality of front panels. 8. The needle protection device according to claim 1, further characterized in that it additionally comprises an activation rod in each of the plurality of back panels, and wherein the female connector further comprises a plurality of locking arms each with a locking hook to hold the spring in a compressed state, wherein the locking arms are biased to move the locking hook out of a spring extension path when the activation rods engage the spring. 9. The needle protection device according to claim 3, further characterized in that the female connector further comprises a plurality of locking arms each with a locking hook for retaining the spring in a compressed state, wherein the locking arms are operatively coupled to the control ring and slit to move the locking hook out of a spring extension path when the plurality of rear panels engage the control ring. 10. The needle protection device according to claim 3, further characterized in that the female connector further comprises a plurality of locking arms coupled to the control ring for retaining the spring in the compressed state, the plurality of locking arms being decoupled from the ring of control to release the spring when the plurality of rear panels engage the plurality of locking arms. eleven . A syringe assembly comprising: a syringe, a needle extending from a distal end of the syringe, and a folding panel needle protection device coupled to the distal end of the syringe. 12. The syringe assembly according to claim 11, further characterized in that it additionally comprises a protective cap placed on the needle. 13. The syringe assembly according to claim 11, further characterized in that the syringe includes a plunger with a rubber stopper at its distal end slidably received in the syringe from a proximal end. 14. The syringe assembly according to claim 11, further characterized in that the folding panel needle protection device engages the recess to engage the syringe. 15. The syringe assembly according to claim 11, further characterized in that the folding panel needle protection device comprises a plurality of front and rear panels coupled together in a first plurality of hinges, wherein the plurality of front and rear panels it is movable from a first position, substantially aligned towards a second, collapsed position. 16. The syringe assembly in accordance with the claim 15, further characterized in that the folding panel needle protection device includes a collar fixed to the front panels in a second plurality of hinges. 17. The jennga assembly in accordance with the claim 16, further characterized in that the folding panel needle protection device includes a device base element of protection coupled to the rear panels in a third plurality of hinges. 18. The syringe assembly in accordance with the claim 17, further characterized in that the folding panel needle includes a spring that is biased to deploy the plurality of front and rear panels from the second collapsed position towards the first aligned position and block the plurality of front and rear panels in the first aligned position to protect the needle, and wherein the folding panel needle further includes a female connector for retaining the spring in a compressed state. 19. The syringe assembly in accordance with the claim 18, further characterized in that the female connector further includes a control ring operatively coupled to the spring and mountable on the first plurality of hinges to lock the plurality of front and rear panels in the first aligned position. 20. The syringe assembly according to claim 18, further characterized in that it additionally comprises an activation rod in each of the plurality of back panels, and wherein the female connector further comprises a plurality of locking arms each with a hook of blocking to retain the spring in a compressed state, wherein the locking arms are biased to move the locking hook out of a spring extension path when the activation rods engage the spring. twenty-one . The syringe assembly according to claim 19, further characterized in that the female connector further comprises a plurality of locking arms each with a locking hook for retaining the spring in a compressed state, wherein the locking arms are operatively coupled to the control ring and cut to move the locking hook outside of a spring extension path when the plurality of rear panels engage the control ring. 22. The syringe assembly according to claim 19, further characterized in that the female connector further comprises a plurality of locking arms operatively coupled to the control ring for retaining the spring in the compressed state, the plurality of locking arms being decoupled from the ring control to release the spring when the plurality of rear panels engage the plurality of locking arms. 23. The syringe assembly in accordance with the claim 12, further characterized in that additionally a cover cap coupled to the protective cap and placed on the needle protection device of folding panel.